CountyScore

Marion County

Illinois · IL

#67 in Illinois
62
County Score

County Report Card

About Marion County, Illinois

Marion significantly exceeds national livability

Marion County's composite score of 64.6 towers above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of American counties. At 29% above the national benchmark, Marion demonstrates strong livability fundamentals that extend well beyond the typical U.S. county performance.

Top performer in Illinois rankings

Marion County ranks above the Illinois state average of 62.1, making it one of the better-performing counties in the state. The 2.5-point advantage reflects superior cost efficiency and tax management compared to most Illinois peers.

Exceptional affordability defines Marion County

Marion County delivers the best cost score of 82.7 among these eight counties, with median home values of just $100,100 and monthly rent at $771. The effective tax rate of 1.707% ranks among the lowest, providing genuine financial relief for residents.

Income levels remain below regional standards

Marion's income score of 23.1 is the lowest among this group, with median household income of $60,839 indicating limited earning opportunities. This gap suggests fewer high-paying jobs and professional sectors within the county's economy.

Ideal for retirees and cost-focused residents

Marion County excels for those with fixed incomes or modest earning needs seeking maximum housing affordability and low taxes. Retirees, rural workers, and families prioritizing low cost of living over career advancement will find Marion's fiscal environment particularly attractive.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax54.2Cost82.7SafetyComing SoonHealth68.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.1Risk22.9WaterComing Soon
🏛54.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡22.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Marion County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bryan County
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Median income: $94,234
Cherokee County
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Median income: $105,442
Johnson County
Kansas
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Median income: $107,261
Delaware County
New York
62
Median income: $60,226
Aransas County
Texas
62
Median income: $61,754

Deep Dives

Marion County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Marion County

via TaxByCounty

Marion County offers below-average tax rates

Marion County's effective tax rate of 1.707% sits below the national median of 1.728%, placing it in the 45th percentile nationally. Despite homes here being more affordable than the national average, the median property tax of $1,709 is 36% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Marion ranks low in Illinois tax burden

Marion County's effective rate of 1.707% falls below Illinois's state average of 1.831%, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in the state. At just $1,709 in median annual property taxes, Marion County residents pay 39% less than the state median of $2,782.

Lowest taxes among regional peers

Marion County's 1.707% effective rate is the lowest among its neighboring counties—significantly below Massac County (1.499% rate but higher median tax) and well below Madison County (1.925%). For affordability-focused homeowners, Marion offers a genuine advantage in the regional market.

Annual tax bill averages just $1,709

On Marion County's median home value of $100,100 and effective rate of 1.707%, homeowners pay approximately $1,709 annually in property taxes. This is among the lowest in the state and reflects both lower home values and moderate tax rates.

Still room to verify your assessment

Even in lower-tax counties like Marion, overassessments occur when property values are incorrectly estimated or increased without justification. Homeowners should request a reassessment review with the Marion County Assessor—it costs nothing and could unlock additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Marion County

via CostByCounty

Marion's rents near the national line

Marion County renters spend 15.2% of household income on rent, just below the national norm, but face a median household income of $60,839—about 19% lower than the $74,755 national average. Lower rent ($771/month) helps offset the income gap, making housing more accessible than raw affordability ratios suggest.

Slight edge above Illinois average

Marion's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% exceeds Illinois's state average of 14.7%, placing it in the middle range of county affordability. The median rent of $771 is $66 below the state average, a modest advantage that helps stretch lower incomes further.

Most affordable rents in the region

Marion County boasts the lowest median rent ($771) among its regional peers, undercutting Marshall ($767 by just $4) and significantly beating Madison ($969). This affordability advantage extends to homeownership: Marion's median owner cost of $785 is the lowest in the immediate area.

Housing takes over housing budgets

With a $60,839 median income, Marion residents spend $771/month on rent (15.2%) or $785/month on homeownership costs (15.5%). These figures suggest housing consumes roughly one-third of gross income, leaving tight margins for utilities, food, and savings.

Marion offers rural affordability

Moving to Marion County means accessing some of Illinois's lowest housing costs and home values ($100,100 median). If budget is your priority, Marion competes well against Marshall and significantly undercuts Madison—though income levels here are lower across the board.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marion County

via IncomeByCounty

Marion earnings lag far behind national median

Marion County's median household income of $60,839 falls $13,916 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties. This gap indicates Marion households earn notably less than the typical American family.

Marion ranks below state average income

At $60,839, Marion County trails Illinois's statewide median of $68,580 by $7,741, placing it in the lower half of the state's 102 counties. The shortfall reflects economic challenges and fewer high-wage employment opportunities compared to state peers.

Marion struggles against stronger regional economies

Marion County's $60,839 median income lags Marshall County ($69,818) and Madison County ($74,800) by $9,000–$14,000 per household. Its per capita income of $32,199 also falls below the state average of $36,009, indicating weaker individual earning power across the county.

Affordable housing keeps Marion accessible

Marion's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% means renters spend roughly $770 monthly on housing, staying comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold. Median home values of $100,100 make homeownership realistic for median-income families, though lower household earnings limit overall wealth accumulation.

Strategic savings unlock opportunity in Marion

Marion households earning $60,839 must prioritize high-impact financial moves: building a 3–6 month emergency fund and maximizing any employer 401(k) match first. Even modest contributions of $100 monthly to a savings account or IRA compounds to $18,000+ over a decade, bridging the earning gap with stronger regions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Marion County

via HealthByCounty

Marion County health lags significantly

Marion County's 72.4-year life expectancy falls nearly 6 years below the U.S. average of 78.3 years, marking a substantial gap. With 19.7% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county exceeds the national average of 18%.

Well below Illinois health outcomes

At 72.4 years, Marion County's life expectancy trails the state average of 76.0 years by 3.6 years—among the lowest in Illinois. The 6.5% uninsured rate marginally exceeds Illinois's 6.3% average, suggesting insurance access is not the primary health driver.

Mixed provider resources

Marion County's 35 primary care providers per 100,000 rank below neighboring Madison County (48) and Mason County (39), limiting routine care access. However, its 404 mental health providers per 100,000 significantly exceed regional peers, indicating strong behavioral health capacity.

Healthcare access and coverage challenges

With 6.5% uninsured and only 35 primary care providers per 100,000, Marion County residents face dual barriers to care. The county's health crisis extends beyond insurance—limited providers and a 19.7% poor/fair health rate signal deeper systemic challenges.

Getting covered is step one

Marion County's 6.5% uninsured rate means roughly 3,000 residents lack health insurance—a critical gap for a county facing health challenges. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore coverage options and take the first step toward better health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marion County

via RiskByCounty

Marion sits slightly above state average

Marion County's composite risk score of 77.13 places it in the Relatively Low category, above Illinois's state average of 54.46. While this indicates moderate risk exposure, it's considerably lower than the highest-risk counties statewide.

Mid-range risk profile for Illinois

Marion County ranks in the middle tier of Illinois counties by disaster risk, with notable vulnerability to earthquakes (95.04) and tornadoes (70.55). Its flood risk of 68.13 reflects exposure to central Illinois water systems.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Marion's composite score of 77.13 significantly exceeds neighboring Marshall County (27.23) and McDonough County (37.53), though it remains lower than Madison County to the north (93.42). This variation reflects Marion's particular exposure to seismic activity.

Earthquake risk drives Marion's profile

Marion County's earthquake risk score of 95.04 is exceptionally high and represents the primary driver of its overall risk profile. Tornadoes (70.55) and flooding (68.13) also warrant serious attention and preparation.

Earthquake insurance should be a priority

Marion County's extreme earthquake risk makes standalone earthquake coverage a smart investment—standard homeowners policies exclude seismic damage. Additionally, ensure adequate flood insurance, particularly if your property sits near waterways or in historically flood-prone areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.